moredhel 0 Posted June 19, 2013 So I always promised myself to write a review on the watches I received but could never get off my ass and actually do it. So here's my effort. I bought my white(more crème actually) face Ballon Bleu from Toro's Specials(A couple of days before the whole PP noobshit fiasco came about, phew), and received in a little less than a week after QC confirmation. Kudos Toro. Fast reply, fast QC and fast shipping. Before we go on, here are the specs from Toro's: CASE: Plated Polish SS MOVEMENT: Asian Eta 2824-2 Automatic Movement, 25J, 28800bhph DIMENSIONS: 42mm x 13mm CRYSTAL: Sapphire STRAP / BRACELET: SS So here are some initial pictures on the outlook of the piece before the emoticons start popping up. Nice... But absolutely non-existent AR on crystal. AR Rating: 0/10 Nevertheless, the design looks good and the finishing of the head solid enough. Case Finishing Rating: 8.5/10 This watch is definitely a smudge magnet. Just a few mins in and marks are all over the place. Nevertheless, it's still pretty, in a bling bling kinda way. CP Setup and Domed Crystal Bracelet fits comfortably, had to file down a link joint side to make the half link fit in. Someone's cutting corners in the bracelet factory. 7.6/10 Surprisingly, the font on the dial looks raised and glossed over, suggesting a touch of finer workmanship (ignoring the pitting on a blown up photo). The hands are also nicely blued. Font Distance rating: 8.5/10 The clasp is solidly constructed and looks very rugged when open. Good for functionality, but hardly inline with Cartier's attention to fine details and finishing on their products. The wordings on the clasp is also cheaply etched on, not to mention not being straight. Removing the markings and refinishing the clasp is sure in queue. The guilloche on the dial looks pretty nice under certain lighting. The design is nicely done but too shallow. Would rate it a 6.8/10 Still nice in macro shots. Now the crown seems to be a little too small for this model. I had a hard time running the time to 6 to set the date. Dudes with large fingers, this is definitely not for you. Crown replacement works under consideration. Caseback is pretty good with effort made to engrave the wordings properly and a straight downward brush finish. Seems sharp too. Acceptable quality: Rating: 7/10 Now it can't all be sunshine and roses. Here are the few glaring flaws, noticeable with a closer look. 1) Datewheel is left aligned, also date window and highlight skewed left. 2) Hour Marker ring finishing is sloppy. A line stands out around the edge which just doesn't gel. The ring is also skewed upwards. That's the 3 sloppy workmanship points that's nagging me. And of course, no rep is complete without it's usual pube or in this case, a child's booger: So far, I would rate this watch as it is a 6.8/10. In the works are: 1) WD40 of the bracelet with canabura wax coating 2) Getting rid of the booger on the dial corner 3) Re-aligning the datewheel 4) Getting rid of the clasp etchings and refinishing, perhaps with new engravings 5) Sourcing a gen or larger crown In that order. Will post more pics as I go through the process. By the time I get to (4), this watch probably make a 7.8-8/10 Here's a few more shots for your viewing pleasure. Cheers! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SeptemberSun 0 Posted June 19, 2013 Fantastic review and a great watch! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moredhel 0 Posted June 19, 2013 Thanks mate! Nice Maratac there too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bklynboy 0 Posted June 19, 2013 Great watch and review, however suggest you consider replacing the crown 1st, mine arrived on Monday with the crown not attached so no way to set the watch :( Waiting to hear from Toro about a replacement, if he has any left... Hope the next one has a booger at 3, the broken one was missing that! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moredhel 0 Posted June 19, 2013 Great watch and review, however suggest you consider replacing the crown 1st, mine arrived on Monday with the crown not attached so no way to set the watch :( Waiting to hear from Toro about a replacement, if he has any left... Hope the next one has a booger at 3, the broken one was missing that! Aye. The crown's a real bitch to set. Gonna look for one tomorrow. Hopefully not too heavy on the wallet. Sorry to hear about yours. Did you manage to get the stem out of the crown tube? I'll mail you the booger @ 3, foc, for just a dollar shipping. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bklynboy 0 Posted June 19, 2013 Great watch and review, however suggest you consider replacing the crown 1st, mine arrived on Monday with the crown not attached so no way to set the watch :( Waiting to hear from Toro about a replacement, if he has any left... Hope the next one has a booger at 3, the broken one was missing that! Aye. The crown's a real bitch to set. Gonna look for one tomorrow. Hopefully not too heavy on the wallet. Sorry to hear about yours. Did you manage to get the stem out of the crown tube? I'll mail you the booger @ 3, foc, for just a dollar shipping. Nope, its beyond my reach, must've had a real rough ride Did your's come in a box or a padded envelope? Thanks for the offer on the booger, I'll just wait until school starts again, one of my youngn's will cough it up for me.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moredhel 0 Posted June 19, 2013 Great watch and review, however suggest you consider replacing the crown 1st, mine arrived on Monday with the crown not attached so no way to set the watch :( Waiting to hear from Toro about a replacement, if he has any left... Hope the next one has a booger at 3, the broken one was missing that! Aye. The crown's a real bitch to set. Gonna look for one tomorrow. Hopefully not too heavy on the wallet. Sorry to hear about yours. Did you manage to get the stem out of the crown tube? I'll mail you the booger @ 3, foc, for just a dollar shipping. Nope, its beyond my reach, must've had a real rough ride Did your's come in a box or a padded envelope? Thanks for the offer on the booger, I'll just wait until school starts again, one of my youngn's will cough it up for me.... Mine came in a box. Together with the Santos 100. Just had to jump on both. Nicely cushioned with 2 inches of bubblewrap. You took the CB off? Why pay for gen boogers when you have a rep one from the far east? :lmao: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moredhel 0 Posted June 19, 2013 Great review! Thanks LG. First review. Any suggestions and tips would be most welcome. Now about that 1911 Panda.. I don't have one either! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bklynboy 0 Posted June 19, 2013 Great watch and review, however suggest you consider replacing the crown 1st, mine arrived on Monday with the crown not attached so no way to set the watch :( Waiting to hear from Toro about a replacement, if he has any left... Hope the next one has a booger at 3, the broken one was missing that! Aye. The crown's a real bitch to set. Gonna look for one tomorrow. Hopefully not too heavy on the wallet. Sorry to hear about yours. Did you manage to get the stem out of the crown tube? I'll mail you the booger @ 3, foc, for just a dollar shipping. Nope, its beyond my reach, must've had a real rough ride Did your's come in a box or a padded envelope? Thanks for the offer on the booger, I'll just wait until school starts again, one of my youngn's will cough it up for me.... Mine came in a box. Together with the Santos 100. Just had to jump on both. Nicely cushioned with 2 inches of bubblewrap. You took the CB off? Why pay for gen boogers when you have a rep one from the far east? :lmao: Thanks for helping me crack the code, from now on always order at least 2! The gens booger are free, outside of the occasional copay at Dr's office.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SeptemberSun 0 Posted June 19, 2013 Thanks mate! Nice Maratac there too! Well spotted! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJ-Watch-Guy 0 Posted July 1, 2013 Thanks for the review, I ordered one myself from TB! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ssclassa80 0 Posted August 2, 2013 Looks nice, been thinking about this one over at Toro's Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koalabear 0 Posted September 13, 2013 Saw a friend who bought this recently..make me lemming for one now! Looking around for nice and reliable seller. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waynacove 0 Posted November 8, 2013 Great spot on review, well done. Nice watch by the way ) looking forward to see an update version. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adamsmith 0 Posted August 19, 2014 great review! that's what am i looking for Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butcher 0 Posted September 24, 2015 Great review! Informing and funny as well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Omar Alberto Mera 0 Posted September 24, 2015 Nice watch enjoy it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy-B 0 Posted December 20, 2015 (edited) [Comments moved to specific thread]. Edited December 20, 2015 by Andy-B Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nathanskim113 0 Posted April 10, 2017 Nice review! I just got my own from TT! Enjoy it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brang1 4,008 Posted April 10, 2017 GODAMNITTOHELLANDBACKAROUND! I asked for BOOGERS in my last order, and only got served up run of the mill Pubes! will these TD's never learn...dammmmm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites